Longhurst Group volunteers help create a buzz as part of Channel 4 programme

A group of Longhurst Group volunteers have given a helping hand to a TV star’s campaign to boost the bee population in Peterborough.

The colleagues joined farmer and television presenter Jimmy Doherty in Connect Park for a day of green-fingered fun.

Along with numerous other volunteers from the community, they cleared areas of the park before planting several wildflowers and pollinator-friendly plants.

The day was all part of a new Channel 4 series fronted by Jimmy in which he attempts to increase the number of bees and associated insects in the area.

Rachael Groarke, Lettings Advisor, became involved through her regular litter picks that she does in the nearby area.

Colleagues Emma Basham, Heather Macleod and Beth Pickering joined Rachael on the day as well as volunteers from right across the local community.

She said: “I am really pleased that several colleagues from the Group were able to take part in the volunteering. Everyone was very passionate and interested in the work being done.

“We were shown how to correctly scatter seeds and then had to tread them down into the ground. We did this by forming two lines and we did the conga up and down the rotavated area!

“It was a really fabulous day and Jimmy made it great fun. He was very chatty and the whole day was relaxed and laid back.

“Over the next few months, the volunteers that live in the area will continue to take care of the plants. As it is one of the areas where I do my litter picking, it will be great to watch it grow.

“Jimmy will be returning next summer to see how things are progressing and do another bee count – hopefully our work will result in more bees!

“I would like to think the event will entice more people to volunteer, whatever the cause. If we can demonstrate next summer that we have increased the number of bees, we will have achieved what we set out to do and that would be great.”

The programme presented by Jimmy Doherty is set to air on Channel 4 next year.

I am really pleased that several colleagues from the Group were able to take part in the volunteering. Everyone was very passionate and interested in the work being done.

Beth Pickering, Environment, Health and Safety Admin Assistant, said she was pleased with how the day went.

She said: “The EHS Team is always trying to improve the environment where possible so this was a great opportunity for us to get involved and do something to help.

“It was a really fun day getting involved with all the other volunteers and of course meeting Jimmy.

“We were also super lucky with the weather, which just added to the enjoyment.”